If India has not made any progress since Independence, it’s because one family held the reins for as many as 60 years, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah said today. Coming down hard at the Congress, he asserted that BJP alone could usher in development.

Setting the tone for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls due next year, Shah said it is the development of a state which leads to progress of a country.

"It has been 70 years since we gained Independence. But there has been no development in the country as one family was in power for 60 years," he said.

Shah slammed the erstwhile Congress governments for "absence of development" in the country.

"I feel sad to say that it has been 70 years since we have won freedom and for 60 years, Congress was in saddle and the result is for everyone to see," he said.

Shah was speaking at a 'Tiranga Yatra' as part of 'Yaad Karo Qurbani' programme to commemorate the sacrifices of freedom fighters ahead of Independence Day.

Asserting that BJP alone can usher in development in the country, he said if SP or BSP came to power in Uttar Pradesh, they will work for thedevelopment of only one community.

"If SP or BSP come to power they will work for the development of only one community. BJP alone can ensure all round development in the state. BJP believes in 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas'," Shah said at the event held on the outskirts of Lucknow.

"Without the development of Uttar Pradesh, the country cannot march ahead," he said.

The programme was held at Kakori town which had shot into prominence due to Kakori train robbery when some Indian revolutionaries looted British government's treasury from a train on August 9, 1925.